Turkey continues Operation Olive Branch in Syria

AFRIN, (Patria) - Turkish armed forces have captured 11 positions of Syrian Kurds in the province of Afrin and established a base for the continuation of the "Olive Branch" operation, agencies report, citing Turkish media.

The Turkish army, along with members of the opposition Free Syrian Army, captured a total of 11 villages and hills on Sunday, the first day of the ground operation in Afrin, and penetrated the province from its northern, northwestern, and western sides, Al Jazeera reports.

The entry of the Turkish army into Afrin followed a day after the Eurasian country launched airstrikes in the region, targeting the forces of the Kurdish YPG units, which are supported by the United States.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkish forces would quickly complete the operation in Afrin, emphasizing that his country is determined to clear the area of the YPG, a group that Ankara considers a terrorist organization.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim previously stated that Turkey intends to create a "safe zone" of 30 kilometers along the border with Syria in the province of Afrin and to ensure that the Free Syrian Army, supported by Ankara, gains control of 10,000 square kilometers of territory there.

US Secretary of Defense James Mattis said that Turkey had informed Washington that it would proceed with airstrikes in Syria against US-backed Kurdish forces.

"Turkey is open," Mattis said, adding that Ankara had informed the US that it would proceed with a military operation, Reuters reported.

The US Secretary of Defense expressed expectations that a solution would be found.

"Turkey has legitimate security concerns," Mattis said, emphasizing that it is the only NATO ally country with active rebel forces within its borders.

When asked if he was concerned about the situation, Mattis said:

"We have raised our vigilance. Our highest levels are involved... And we are working on it."

On the other hand, the US has deployed its forces in Syria to ensure that the weapons provided by Washington will be used against the rebels, not Turkey.

This will enable the US-led coalition to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant armed group, Mattis added.